What can you tell me about Wallonie?
That’s a bit of a trick question. What about the English version, Wallonia, or the Walloon Region? If you’re still drawing a blank, you’re like me just one month ago.
Luckily, lesser-known areas are often a traveler’s best friend, so once I heard about it I knew that was exactly where I wanted to be.
Country chateau, Villers-devant-Orval, Belgium
What’s a Wallonia?
Wallonia is the region comprising the southern, French-speaking part of Belgium. One of its claims to fame include the sugary waffles of its most populous city, Liège, which in my opinion deserve a post of their own. History buffs will know the region for the Battle of Waterloo in the Napoleonic Wars and the Battle of the Bulge in World War II; sandwiched between France, Luxembourg, Germany, and (past its northern neighbor, the Flanders region of Belgium) the Netherlands, this tiny area has seen more than its share of action.
Though it encompasses slightly over half the country, it holds only a third of the population. Low density equals plenty of quiet countryside, and since the lovely Ardennes roll through here as well, that’s a recipe for pastoral tranquility at its best.
Come along with us on a lazy Sunday, and we’ll show you what’s so special about the rolling hills and picturesque villages of this relatively unknown corner of Belgium.
The cutest villages of Belgium
If you’re going to spend time in the country, visiting this area is definitely one of the top things to do in Belgium. Since we live in Western Germany, this particular route starts from Luxembourg in the east (see our overview of Luxembourg in a day) and heads west through the Semois River Valley then north towards Brussels. Click on the images for an enhanced view:
The village of Torgny: flowers spilling out of stone cottages
An entourage of gnome-guardians protect the village
A small-town bar/cafe/bowling alley, Wallonia region, Belgium. Photo: Alissa Clark
Abbey of Notre-Dame d’Orval, makers of Orval beer
Bouillon (Belgium): the fortified castle (Xth–XVIth centuries) – the big and the little powder-magazines, the horn (corne) of Turenne, the arsenal and the bridge on the Semois river viewed from the tower of Austria. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Dinant, Belgium. Photo by Jean Pol Grandmont via Wikipedia
Castle of Crupet, Crupet, Belgium
Pastoral countryside of the Ardennes and Wallonia
By now, you might be craving some sustenance and cold, liquid accompaniment. Luckily, Brussels, home of what is arguably the planet’s best frites and beer, is just an hour away (see our tips for what to do in Brussels)…
Bon apetit!
See more photos in our Wallonia photo gallery
Check out our photo gallery of Bruges (Brugge), a medieval city in the Flanders part of Belgium.
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“What’s a Wallonia”? Clever heading and great article! I always appreciate the fact that I am able to highlight items in your posts, such as ‘Ardennes”, to read more for a better understanding.
The photos are beautiful, especially the chalet with the pond, the small castle, and gnomes. Oh, and the cows, too:) Well done.
Glad you enjoyed it. It’s such a quiet, charming corner of Europe.